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Stronger Together: Highlights from the 2025 EPHC Annual Conference

The 2025 EPHC Annual Conference brought together rural healthcare leaders, hospital executives, providers, and community partners from across Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region for three inspiring days. With sessions that combined real-world lessons, collaborative problem solving, and opportunities to connect, this year’s event reaffirmed : we are truly stronger together.

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Key Moments

  • Keynote Address: Steve Antonopulos, retired Denver Broncos trainer, shared lessons from 45 years in the NFL, offering perspective on resilience, teamwork, and leadership.

  • Breakout Panels: Members chose sessions ranging from pricing transparency, payer accountability, and policy futures in Colorado, to addiction care, lung cancer diagnosis updates, and leadership resiliency. Each track offered practical insights that hospitals can take home immediately.

  • Stronger Together Awards: We recognized hospitals, leaders, and partners who exemplify the mission of advancing rural healthcare through collaboration. These stories of innovation and grit are proof that small communities can deliver big impact.

  • Sponsor Speed Dating: Back by popular demand and set the tone that our vendor partners want to make our member hospitals successful.

  • The Network Niche: Healthcare’s Collaborative Advantage reminded us of the power rural hospitals unlock when they align resources and share expertise.

Urgency and Opportunity

This year’s discussions carried an urgent tone. Rural hospitals are under increasing pressure from rising costs, staffing shortages, and new competitors. The race to adopt innovative models,

including Agentic AI and new technology platforms, is moving quickly. Together, we acknowledged that standing still is not an option.

A Call to Action

As we look ahead, EPHC will continue to build momentum through shared learning, advocacy, and tangible solutions that help rural hospitals remain strong and independent. We left Aurora with a renewed sense of commitment: to move faster, support each other more deeply, and bring real value back to our communities.

Share Your Story

The EPHC Annual Conference is just the beginning of the conversation. We want to highlight the incredible impact happening across our member hospitals every day. If you have a story or testimonial that reflects the strength of rural healthcare, please share it with us through our contact page on the EPHC website. Your stories help inspire and inform our collective journey.

 
 
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